36 of the 308 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz SL500 are about the fuel system — 12% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2003.
36
Complaints
12%
Share of all complaints
0
Crashes
2
Fires
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
On many 2003 and 2004 models. Broken fuel tank baffle inside fuel tank. This is well documented and could possibly cause explosion.
NHTSA complaint #11463728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The 2003 SL500 with seemingly no instigating incident or event had the gas tank baffle come apart due to the poor and faulty design of this component. This baffle now is loose and floats on the gas in the gas tank, banging around when there is acceleration or deceleration, even turning sometimes causes it to bang around. Speed bumps are another source of loud banging from the baffle bumping into the sides of the tank. The issue with 2003 SL500's is ubiquitous, it is not a question of what percentage of them will experience as it appears it will happen to this vehicle at some point due to the poor design and implementation of the baffle. This wouldn't be such a big problem if this was a minor repair and was a reasonable price to have a shop perform or for the more mechanically inclined owner to perform themselves, but it is a ridiculously complex and time-consuming job just to get to the gas tank and take it off. My mechanic told me it is akin to taking the transmission or engine out and as such labor is outstandingly and outrageously expensive with this job requiring approximately $2000-$2500 to perform according to my mechanic and other SL500 owners who have also had to deal with this issue. This is an issue that you may not experience if you don't own one of these vehicles for long enough, but the vehicle will have this problem during it's lifetime and Mercedes should be responsible for allowing such a design to make it into production.
NHTSA complaint #11456885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ON JULY 22, 2020 THE VEHICLE (2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 (R230)BEGAN MAKING A LOUD BANGING NOISE IN THE REAR WHEN STOPPING AND TURNING. I DELIVERED THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL SHOP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A BROKEN BAFFLE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK. MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE AND IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT; THIS CANNOT BE CAUSED BY EXCESS WEAR ON THE VEHICLE. BECAUSE THERE IS NOW A LARGE SECTION OF THE FUEL TANK FREELY SWINGING INSIDE, THERE IS A CHANCE THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A SPARK AND SUBSEQUENT EXPLOSION. I CANNOT SAFELY DRIVE THIS VEHICLE UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IS REPLACED AT A VERY LARGE COST. THIS MODEL SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED WHEN THIS ISSUE WAS FIRST COMING TO LIGHT OVER 15 YEARS AGO.
NHTSA complaint #11342296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
HEARING CLANGING, THUMP NOISE BETWEEN SEATS AND TRUCK, TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS ADVISED IT IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL - PROBLEM WITH BAFFLE IN THE TANK AND MIGHT HAVE COME OFF, SEARCHED ON-LINE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE, WAS THIS EVER ADDRESSED BY MB AND RECALLED?
NHTSA complaint #11337602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I EXPERIENCE A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WHEN ENTERING MY VEHICLE AND WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, ALSO WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE I HEART A LOUD THUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE TRUNK AREA. SOUNDS TO ME AS THOUGH SOMETHING IS FLOATING INSIDE GAS TANK. THIS ODOR HAS SICKENED ME AND HAS SEVERELY UPSET MY STOMACH TO THE POINT THAT I'M UNABLE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR A SHORT DISTANCE. THE THUMPING SOUND IS CREATED WHEN VEHICLE IS MOVING OR COMING TO A STOP BUT HAPPENS CONTINUOUSLY WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #11326987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE NEAR DRIVERS FIREWALL. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED HOWEVER STRONG FUEL VAPORS REMAINED. ORIGIN OF FIRE UNKNOWN. I SUBMITTED A REPORT FOR MY 1999 MERCEDES WHICH CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE HOOD INSULATION FALLING ONTO THE HOT MANIFOLD IN THE SAME GENERAL AREA.
NHTSA complaint #11301295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE NEAR THE FUEL TANK. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A CONSTANT FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF VIRGINIA BEACH (LOCATED AT 4949 VIRGINIA BEACH BLVD, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23462, (757) 499-3771) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ONE OF THE BAFFLES IN THE FUEL TANK FRACTURED, SEPARATED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11156602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I HAVE 1995 SL500 LAST 8 YEARS HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES, RELATED TO WIRING HARNESS ,MISFIRE ,STEERING PUMP,AIR PUMP AND MORE. I AM THE FIRST OWNER.ALL THE WIRES ARE DETERIORATING,I THNIK WE NEED NHTSA TO INSPECT THESE CAR MANUFACTURERS.IF MANUFACTURER INSTALLED THE FAULTY WIRING THEY SHOULD STAND UP AND OFFER REPAIRS AT THE MERCEDES DEALERS.FREE. REGARDS
NHTSA complaint #10966708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500. WHILE DRIVING INTO THE GARAGE, THE ABC PUMP WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF HYDRAULIC FLUID ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR AXLE VALVE LOCK, AND PRESSURE RESERVOIR FOR THE ABC SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AND FLUSHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V263000 (SUSPENSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,620.
NHTSA complaint #10936250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
HERE A BANGING NOISE BEHIND THE SEAT, TOOK IT TO A MERCEDES BENZ REPAIR SHOP. THEY INFORMED ME THE FUEL TANK BAFFLE IS BROKEN FREE. HE SAID IT IS VERY COMMON ON THIS MODEL. BUT NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. IT WOULD CONT ME OVER 2,500.00 TO REPAIR. DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AT MBWORLD FORUM. THIS HAPPEN ON ALMOST EVERY CAR LIKE THIS. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS. AND I AM WORRIED THIS MIGHT BLOW UP OR SOMETHING, SINCE SOMETHING BANGING AROUND THE THE INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK CAN NOT BE SAFE, THIS CAR RUNS ON PREMIUM GASOLINE. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN LOUDER WHEN THE TANK IS FROM 3/4 FULL TO 1/2. IF I LET IT RUN TO LOW THE FUEL GAUGE STICKS ON EMPTY UNTIL I GO OVER A BIG BUMP. I BELIEVE THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AS THE CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ON A CAR THAT COST ABOUT 100,000.00 NEW. BUT MORE IMPORTANT, I DO NOT FEEL THIS CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. THE DEALER STATED IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, JUST AN ANNOYANCE???
NHTSA complaint #10865292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ SL 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, FUEL ODORS EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE NOTICED FUEL HAD LEAKED INTO THE REAR SEATS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK CAP WAS LEAKING AND THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FUEL TANK CAPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,685.
NHTSA complaint #10809067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE COULD BE HEARD IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BAFFLE IN THE FUEL TAKE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,408.
NHTSA complaint #10785613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CAR IMMEDIATELY STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE. DRIVING VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO STALL. WAS NOT ABLE TO EVEN PULL TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. WAS LATER ABLE TO JUMP START VEHICLE, HOWEVER STILL HAD ISSUES WITH STALLING AND NO ACCELERATION. HAVE BEEN INFORMED IT IS A "HARNESS WIRING ISSUE".
NHTSA complaint #10724745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
DRIVING AT 40 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ENGINE DIES. CAR BECOMES DEAD, VERY DANGEROUS , AT NIGHT MIDDLE LANE OF PACIFIC COAST HWY. CANT USE BREAKS, EVERYTHING IS DEAD! CANT STEER NOTHING. COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE TWICE. NOW I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR IF THIS HAPPENS WHEN IM ON THE FREEWAY, THATS A PROBLEM, ENDANGERING ME AND EVERYONE AROUND. THIS IS NUTS BECAUSE I PRIDE MYSELF ON KEEPING MY CAR IN TIP TOP SHAPE ALWAYS AND THIS IS UNDETECTABLE . BUT EXPENSIVE TO TRY AND FIND OUT UNTIL I SAW THAT 800 OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME THING! WHAT WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?
NHTSA complaint #10716917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
DRIVING ALONG ON 2/14/2015, I HEAR A BANGING COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. I NOTICE IT ONLY DOES IT WHEN I AM EXCELLING OR BRAKING. I THOUGHT THERE MAY BE SOMETHING IN THE TRUNK, LIKE A LIQUID WITH SOMETHING FLOATING IN IT, BANGING UP AGAINST THE SIDE OF THE CONTAINER. AFTER I PARKED, I CHECKED OUT THE BOX THAT I HAVE PUT IN THE BACK OF MY CAR. THERE WAS NOTHING THERE THAT WOULD MAKE THIS NOISE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I SEE THAT THERE MANY COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE BAFFLE THAT IS INSIDE THE GAS TANK THAT COMES LOSE AND BANGS THE SIDES OF THE GAS TANK. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I WILL TAKE MY CAR TO THE SHOP ON TUESDAY AND SEE ABOUT REPAIRS AND HAVING MB PAY FOR IT.
NHTSA complaint #10683565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A KNOCKING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA complaint #10644773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I FILED THIS COMPLAINT MONTHS AGO AND HAVEN'T HEARD A WORD. THE ISSUE IS THE GAS TANK BAFFLE HAS APPARENTLY COME LOOSE FROM INSIDE THE TANK AND IS CREATING A BANG IN THE TANK VEHICLE IS SLOWING DOWN AND STOPPING. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. MERCEDES SAID THEY HAVEN'T HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BUT IN RESEARCH THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH 2003-2004 SL500. IS THERE A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THIS BAFFLE BEING LOOSE IN THE TANK? AND WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL?
NHTSA complaint #10631327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
BAFFLE IN FUEL TANK STARTED HITTING THE SIDE OF THE TANK MAKE A NOISE WHEN FUEL TANK IS 3/4 FULL OR LESS. APPARENTLY THE BAFFLE BREAKS AT ONE END ALLOWING THE BAFFLE TO BANG AGAINST THE WALL OF THE FUEL CELL.
NHTSA complaint #10630982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE GAS TANK BAFFLE HAD BROKEN AND IT IS KNOCKING INSIDE THE TANK. I AM CONCERNED THAT IT WILL BREAK AND CAUSE A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10620891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I OWN A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. LIKE MOST OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE, THE BAFFLE MOVES FREELY WITHIN THE GAS TANK WHICH CAUSES A NOISE AND IS POTENTIAL DANGEROUS IF A SPARK IS CREATED FROM THE BAFFLE HITTING THE INSIDE WALLS OF THE GAS TANK. FROM MY RESEARCH IT IS A MANUFACTURE ISSUE WITH THE WELDING OF THE BAFFLE TO THE INTERNAL WALL OF THE GAS TANK. THERE IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS AND THREADS ON MERCEDES FORUMS. PLEASE FOLLOW LINK TO SEE ALL COMPLAINTS. IT IS POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM MERCEDES BENZ USA TO NOT RECALL THE ISSUE. THERE IS OVER 20 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE AT THIS LINK: HTTP://WWW.BENZWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/R230-SL-CLASS/1295215-SL500-NOISE-REAR-INTERIOR-WALL-GAS.HTML.
NHTSA complaint #10588940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.